HAL LIFSON'S 1966
on Bonus Books
|
THE AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL
on Experience Hendrix Records
|
NICOLE McKENNA
on 20/20 Music
|
SEPTEMBER
/ OCTOBER 2003
MUSIC & RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
BALLET
TREE - A native New Yorker who earned his
reputation performing at Windows On The World at the top of the World
Trade Center and the Rainbow Room as a solo guitarist and with various
ensembles, Cape Cod-based Fred Fried released his ninth solo album
When Winter Comes in 2002 on his on Ballet
Tree Productions. The follow up to Frieds 2001 CD, Infantry
Of Leaves, the nine track When Winter Comes blends Frieds
unique skills on 7-string guitar with the impressionistic string arrangements
of Richard De Rosa. Also featuring Steve LaSpina (bass)
and Billy Drummond (drums), When Winter Comes is moody
yet uplifting, meditative yet dynamic. A good example of just how
well Frieds jazz guitar technique meshes with De Rosas
strings is on the WWC track Pathos where the swirling
strings conjures a spine-tingling mood comparable to a Bernard Herman-scored
Hitchcock film. Frieds fingerstyle fretboard technique on the
7 string acoustic guitar echoes the virtuosity of 7-string guitar
innovator George Van Eps, a guitarist with whom Fried studied with
in L.A. Seasoned playing from Fried and his trio, coupled with with
the elegant string arrangements from De Rosa, makes When Winter
Comes a top choice for jazz guitar enthusiasts. www.fredfried.com
BONUS BOOKS - Back in the 60s there was a TV show called
The Time Tunnel, where each week the actors would slip into some swirling
top of a machine and pick a date to revisit. After all, this was the
60s! Perhaps the one year rivaling 67 and 69 to
go back in time and really revisit is 1966, a topic that turns out
to be the subject matter of a new book assembled and written by author
Hal Lifson called 1966! - A Personal View Of The Coolest
Year In Pop Culture History. With a cool forward by
the great Nancy Sinatra, the book recaps the 60s as seen
through the eyes of the author who was born in L.A. in 1960. Although
he was a bit young, by the time the Beatles album Revolver
hit the U.S. by late Summer 66, Lifson was hooked on the
60s forever! This book is a real treat and words cant
describe the care and rare insight Lifson brings to the topic. Pictures
galore and more exclusively devoted the year 1966 make it possibly
the definitive resource on the topic. One look at the cover artfeaturing
Brian Wilson, Star Trek, Sandy Koufax, Herman Munster, Batman, The
Monkees, The Beatles, Raquel Welch...get the picture? You will and
more after checking out Hal Lifsons 1966! www.bonus-books.com
BD SOUND - A freewheeling solo guitar album that will surely appeal
to jazz guitar fans, Rebeccas Dream is
the perfect vehicle for Klimaks fretboard expertise and compositional
skills. Inspired by classical masters like Stravinsky and jazz guitarists
Jim Hall, John Scofield and more recently Larry Koonse, Klimak
originally planned the album as a group effort only to find that the
songs sounded quite good on their own. Klimak adds, I've done
duos, but never solo. So to be completely honest although I liked
the challenge, it felt kind of daunting cause there's nothing to hide
behind. Whatever you play is what you're gonna hear, nothing more.
Recorded in L.A. and South Carolina in late 2002, the 12 track CD
was single speed glass mastered and sounds clear as a bell. Klimaks
performance on his Taylor 714-CE acoustic is in a word, breathtaking.
www.cdbaby.com/cd/klimak
DAS - Having made several fine albums and videos over the past
few years, L.A.-based Daveed released his best CD yet in 2003.
The Healing Garden puts it all together with an elegant
mix of smooth as silk Spanish guitars, ambient world electronics and
light percussion topped off with healing meditative vibes. A great
instrumental set to chill-out with, The Healing Garden features
several guest musicians but the spotlight is on Daveeds Ramirez
and Gibson guitars. Mixing World-Music inspired guitar instrumentals
with peaceful, groove-based electronica, the eleven track CD covers
a wide range of sounds and further reveals its blissed-out aura
with repeat listens. www.daveed.com
EXPERIENCE HENDRIX / HIP-O RECORDS - Released as a joint effort
between Experience Hendrix and Hip-O Records, The
American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966 Volume One & Two captures
prime video footage of the greatest American bluesmen as they toured
England and Europe back in the 60s. Released as two separate
DVD volumescomplete with detailed DVD bookletsboth titles
feature a wealth of previously unreleased live in the studio performances
by blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf,
Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon,
T-Bone Walker and Lightnin' Hopkins to name a few. Recorded
live at a remote TV station in Germany, these truly eye-opening video
performances have been meticulously restored by long time Jimi
Hendrix engineer / producer Eddie Kramer. For anyone unfamiliar
with the impact these legendary American blues giants had on British
musicians during the 60s, theres plenty of fascinating
liner notes to help set the stories straight, including a foreword
(on both volumes) by Rolling Stones bass legend Bill Wyman who
adds, Things would have been a whole lot different in Britain
without the American Folk Blues Festivals; they proved to be a rich
legacy for musicians throughout Europe. Regarding the reissue
of these two historic blues DVD titles on Experience Hendrix, co-producer
John McDermott states, "These were the artists who inspired
Jimi Hendrix and it seemed fitting that his family company would help
organize these important, historically significant releases."
Check out both DVD volumes of The American Folk Blues Festival
1962-1966 and find out where it all started for so many great
British and American blues players. www.reelinintheyears.com
/ www.jimi-hendrix.com
/ www.hip-o.com
ISLAND
/ CHRONICLES - Island Records through Universal
/ Chronicles reissues the final three 70s albums from
rock greats Traffic. The 2003 single CD reissues consist of
Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory (originally released
January 73), On The Road (originally a double
live LP set from November 73) and the original
bands final release featuring the Traffic core of Steve Winwood,
Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, When The Eagle Flies
(1974). Released without bonus tracks, each reissue CD features
original artwork adding in liner notes by Bill DeYoung. Calling
these albums influential would be an understatement and the fine remastering
and liner notes make them essential for long time Traffic devotees.
Although by 1974 Traffic was no longer the influential entity that
released their groundbreaking debut albumMr. Fantasy in
1967they were nevertheless in prime form right till the end
as these three CDs clearly indicate. www.umusic.com
KHAEON - In the spirit of Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Grant
Green and Pat Martino, NYC guitarist Greg Skaff heads up a
groovin jazz guitar-based trio heavily accented by the sounds
of Hammond B-3 organ on his 2003 CD Blues For Mr. T.
Assisted by B-3 burner Mike LeDonne and drummer Joe Farnsworth,
Skaff romps through a number of originals and choice covers of jazz
greats such as Duke Ellington, McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard. From
the album liner notes, Hubbard himself adds, Greg is one of
the most exciting guitarists on the current New York scene. On this
hard-charging organ trio date he really cooks! A masterful electric
guitarist who sounds right at home on this nine track CD of, jazzy
instrumental sounds, Greg Skaff kicks it into overdrive on Blues
For Mr. T. www.GregSkaff.com
KOCH
JAZZ - Born in 1921, drummer Chico Hamilton is a living
legend of the jazz world. Signed to Koch Jazz, Hamilton released
Foreststorn in 2001 and in late 2002 he released his latest
studio on the label album entitled Thoughts Of...Swing
jazz at its best, the 12 track CD features an abundance of groove-heavy
instrumental tracks including a number of Hamilton originals and a
cover of People. Among the many great players assisting
Hamilton on Thoughts Of...includes Hamilton group guitarist
Cary DeNigris as well as well-known fretboard masters like
Joe Beck, Larry Coryell and Rodney Jones. Chico
recorded his first album as a leader back in 1955 with Howard Roberts
on guitar and now at age 82, hes still the man. www.joyousshout.com
KRIZTAL
ENTERTAINMENT - The essence of the 2003 house music craze is caught
on Sungrooves: The Solar Groove Revolution. Released
on the Miami-based Kriztal Entertainment, the CD features 15
global dance music tracks selected and mixed by DJ and producer Mark
Riva. Combining a stellar mix of jazzy, vocal and instrumental
tracks that both chill and groove, the 15 track, 79 minute CD is a
veritable melting pot of Afro-Latin, Brazilian, Mediterranean and
Caribbean musical styles. Featuring some of the most sultry female
vocalists on the planet, Sungrooves is the future of global
dance and jazz-house fusion. On a related note, Kriztal have released
Bedroom Communities 01.- Pillow Talk and Bedroom
Communities 02.- ReLounge. Almost as good as a trip
to South Beach, both CDs feature ultra cool, various artists
collections that cover a wealth of chillout/downbeats and groove-oriented
dance tracks that will get you in the mood in no time! www.kriztal.com
LEANNE DOUGLAS -The continent of Australia has a rich legacy of
guitar instrumental music. The Atlantics were big down under in the
60s and are still going strong and now Australia has sends guitarist
Leanne Douglas over here to hear. Now living in Nashville,
shes working as a nurse for heart patients and in between shes
managed to record and release a tasty CD of guitar instrumentals.
Leanne not only has an amazing touch on electric guitar but shes
a gifted composer. Reflecting on moving to the U.S., Leanne adds,
Nashville is totally different to where I come from. Both places
are great! I think of myself as an American also, and plan on becoming
a duel citizen later this year.....I love America, and I love Australia.
Her Australian background no doubt tempered her introspective soul
so shes clearly more Hank Marvin than Link Wray although the
more rock dominated moments here hold up quite well. Douglas surrounds
herself with some fine players including George Towne (drums)
several other fine guitarists, including the excellent pedal steel
from guitarist Lee Warren. Co-producing, bass and string arrangements
from Dale Brown adds further sparkle to the sound of Blue
Heeler. www.leannedouglas.com
LMUSIK - From the liner notes of his new CD Tasty Guitar
Treats - Assorted, N.J.-based guitarist Leon Muhudinov
states, the concept behind this album was to express a varying
assortment of moods by illustrating the many different styles, colors
and flavors that the guitar alone can produce. Touching on a
wealth of guitar stylingsfrom Les Paul to Segovia and The Beatlesthe
first half of the 9 track CD offers guitar adaptations of Lennon
/ McCartney (Eleanor Rigby), Scott Joplin,
classical guitar master Tarrega and Duke Ellington while
part two features a varied round of eclectic Muhudinov originals.
With its eclectic instrumental avant pop-jazz and classical
guitar vibes, Tasty Guitar Treats - Assorted is an intriguing
CD from an aspiring artist worthy of some well-earned name recognition.
Lmuzik8@aol.com
NEW
SURF - The guitarist and occasional lead singer in the current
Brian Wilson group lineup, Jeff Foskett released a 2003
compilation on his self-owned New Surf label. The 18 track
Tributes & Rarities spotlights a number of Foskett
rarities from various collections and Japan only releases. Foskett
classics like I Live For The Sun and Thru My Window
(the title track from his 96 album) mix nicely with rarities
like a cover of the Beamer Brothers classic Honolulu
City Lights, a cover of Id Like To Teach The World
To Sing and a Foskett version of The Associations
Never My Love (featuring Association singer Larry Ramos
on vocals). An excellent look at some of the lesser known tracks
from this underrated singer-songwriter and guitarist, Tributes
& Rarities is essential for anyone into the harmony-filled
sounds of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. www.new-surf.com
RICH MARCIL - Although he works as a psychologist down in Florida,
guitarist Rich Marcil found the time to record and release
a fine guitar-based instrumental CD. From The Edge
features Marcil admirably performing a number of fretted instruments
including 12 string acoustic, mandolin, E-bow, electric guitar and
bass guitar. Marcil has performed with numerous groups and ensembles
over the years and on From The Edge he creates a unique hybrid
guitar sound that draws upon folk, Celtic, symphonic rock and New
Age music. Performed entirely by Marcil, the CD sound quality is uniformly
excellent and overall the album spotlights an entertaining selection
of majestic and relaxing instrumentals. www.richmarcil.com
TS
- A 21 track guitar-based instrumental album, One Breath
by guitarist Tony Sims, is based around the concept
of life and death and other aspects of the human drama. The album
is all instrumental so theres plenty of room for imagination.
Tony Sims performance on acoustic and electric guitars, guitar
synth, keyboards and drums conjures a range of easy on the ears moods
and is in a word, exemplary. Recorded in Houston, Texas in late 2002,
the album features track by track info from Sims. Similar in scope
to the folk-jazz guitar-based works of Michael Hedges and Martin Simpson,
One Breath is fueled by a spiritual vibe that seems to permeate
the albums very introspective mood. www.cdbaby.com/cd/tonysims
20/20 MUSIC - Long Island native Nicole McKenna really
shines on her new album Stay Awhile. Released
on her own 20/20 Music label, the album gets a great singer-songwriter
groove going along the lines of 80s torch song pop greats like
The Bangles and Marti Jones. Standout tracks include the exquisite
title track, the 60s pop groove of Ordinary Day
and a fine cover of Paul McCartneys Junk.
Concerning her McCartney cover, Nicole explains, I'd always
loved "Singalong Junk" off of his McCartney album.
Then when I stumbled upon "Junk" and heard the lyrics, etc,
it became one of my favorites. I thought it was one of the prettiest
and saddest melodies I'd ever heard. When we talked about putting
a cover on Stay Awhile it was my immediate first choice.
McKenna has chosen a fine round of players including the fine guitars
of Andrew Carillo (Joan Osborne), Jack Petruzzelli (Rufus
Wainwright, Joan Osborne). Excellent production and further guitar
work from Saul Zonana puts icing on this delectable pop treat.
Another album from Nicole this cool might be the ticket to put her
over the top. www.nicolemckenna.com
V2 - Described as a cross between Neil Young, Brian Wilson and
the progressive pop-rock sound of ELO, the 2003 V2 CD from
California-based Grandaddy further establishes the band as
a force to be reckoned with on Sunday. In the
words of the groups main writer Jason Lytle, I
feel like weve kind of arrived, that everything Ive ever
done has led up to this, while Grandaddy guitarist Jim Fairchild
adds, the ideas have coalesced and refined themselves to
the point where we always sort of hoped they would be. The groups
low-fi approach to indy pop mixes well with other influences like
Flaming Lips, Wilco and Mercury Rev making the 12 track Sunday
a well crafted, if somewhat low-key, modern pop masterpiece worth
checking out. www.V2music.com
VINTAGE GROOVE RECORDS - Over in Japan, multi-instrumentalist
Kenny Sasaki released his 2002 CD entitled Tiki Moon by
Kenny Sasaki & The Tiki Boys. Those who appreciate 60s
lounge music master Martin Denny or the laid back tropical groove
of Hawaiian music will dig Tiki Moon. Sasaki wrote, produced
and performed the music here and his subtle performance on guitars,
keyboards and percussion supply and abundance of sonic grooves. An
outstanding instrumental chill-out record that expertly blends the
exotic strains of instrumental lounge music, Tiki Moon is like
taking an imaginary Polynesian vacation. www.kensasaki.com
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed in
mwe3.com and 20th Century Guitar. Send to P.O. Box 630249, Little
Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249 e-mail: rss54@mwe3.com